Macca's Coaching Corner

Drill for Kicking from Hands and Dead Ball Kicking(Goal Kicks and Free kicks).

2008-09-23T08:01:00Z

Drill here for practising kicking from hands and dead ball kicking

Figure 1

X X X X

GK GK

X X X X

Organisation

* Each Gk stands in 15yd x 15yd which are 50yds apart (This can be varied dependant on ability level).

* One of the GK‘s starts with the ball inside his square. He must try and kick the ball into the other GK’s square using a variety of kicks (Volley, Half volley, Side volley, Dribble and Drive and dead ball kicks).

* If ball touches the ground direct from the kick, the goalkeeper who kicked it gets a point. Goalkeeper receiving the kick must try and prevent it from touching the floor inside their square.

* Goalkeeper who was receiving the ball then returns the kick into the other square.

Progressions

* Increase the distance between square as kicking distance improves.

* Decrease the size of the square as kicking accuracy improves.

Key Points

* When kicking from hands (Volley, half volley, side volley) make sure you drop the ball from waist height and leg comes through the ball straight and with ankle ‘Locked out’

* When kicking from the floor (dribble and drive and goal kicks/free kicks)get low when striking the ball to create height, make sure non-kicking foot is placed besides ball and make sure GK is following through. Also make sure you are rolling the ball at 2 or 10 O’clock and not straight in front of you (Dribble and drive) and a curved run up (Goal kicks/free kicks).

Adapted from a drill by Alex Welsh.

Drill for Diving Saves and Conditioning

2008-04-03T09:45:00Z

A Conditioning drill here-

Figure 1

GK1

X X

GK2 GK3

* In a four yard goal marked with cones/agilty poles, put a GK behind each cone/agility pole, with a server 4 yards away slightly wide of each pole.

* The GK1 come through the middle of the cones/agility poles and GK3 serves the ball wide of the poles for GK1 to make a diving save. GK1 returns the ball to GK3 and quickly move his feet backwards behind the cones/agility poles and comes though the middle of them again to make a diving save from GK2 (working in a figure of 8 motion).

* Once this is done he swaps with GK2, who then does his 2 saves who then swaps with GK3 who then does his.

* Once GK3 has completed his/her, GK1 goes back in to do his/her 4 saves. Then after all the GK's have done this they all do 6 saves then 8 saves.

* After they all do 8, then then do 6, then 4, then 2 to finish.

Key Points

* Good Diving Technique- Keep quality high even when tired.

* Good Footwork- Essential.

* Good service- To keep quality of Goalkeeping High. make sure the goalkeeper is stretched but still able to catch the ball.

Progressions

* Service- Low service for low diving saves, high for high diving saves.

* Level of Fitness- Work to 6 for beginers and back to 2. Work to 10 or 12 then back to 2 when fitness increases.

Drill for Footwork, Handling, Diving Saves, Dealing with Crosses and Backpasses

2008-04-03T08:03:00Z

Sorry it's been a while again, no excuses.

This is a very simple (Yet effective I feel) for practising a number of technical elements in Goalkeeping.

Figure 1

GK1

GK2

X X

S1 S2

* In a four yard goal marked with cones/agilty poles, put a GK behind each cone/agility pole, with a server 6 yards away slightly wide of each pole.

* The GK's 'Shuffle' there feet and cross over, when they are behind the opposite pole S's serve a volley in at roughly head height for he she to catch slightly wide of the pole or them to 'shuffle' and get there head in line to save.

* The GK's then return the ball to the S's and then 'Shuffle' there feet and cross over again to receive a serve from the other S.

* Repeat untill both GK's have made 10 catches.

Key Points

* Good footwork- Short sharp steps, without crossing feet over if possible.

* Get set- Try to get set before serve comes in.

* Correct handling- Depending on the type of serve.

Progressions

* Service- Low service for low handing, wider service to incoperate diving saves. High service for catching high balls. Also you can make the GK's play the ball back with feet to incorperate backpasses ( One touch, two touch, volleys, half volleys, chest then volley etc).

* Rep's- Lower rep's for Young GK's, higher reps to make it a conditioning drill fro Adult GK's.

Drill for Short Range Shot Stopping, Footwork, Positioning and Reaction Saves

2007-11-22T07:28:00Z

Sorry it's been a while guys, no excuses, need to work on my time managment.

Figure 1

X X

S2 S3

* In a full size goal, one server (S1) 12 yds out (pen spot), and 2 other servers (S2, S3) 8yds out just wide of the goal with a supply of football's each.

* S2 and S3 altenativly play the ball to S1 to finish 1st time side footed (Aiming for the centre of the goal).

* GK must start facing the server who is playing the ball and glide into position to react off the shot from S1.

Key Points

* Get in correct position facing S2 or S3.

* When the ball is played make sure the GK uses short sharp footwork to get in the correct position to react to the shot from S1.

* Make sure GK is set before shot is struck (Even if he/she is in incorrect position as the they will have better chance of making the save if they are 'Set').

* Look at positioning of GK for the shot if he/she is there early enough. Are they showing to much of the goal to S1? Are they to close to S1 so they are unable to react?

Progressions

* 'Reverse' the drill. Get S1 to play the ball to S2 and S3 for them to shoot.

* Increase the distance that the server's are from the goal to make it a drill for shots from different distances.

* Change the service. Server's can shoot striking with laces 1st time, or servers can throw the ball to server who is shooting for them to catch and volley or volley 1st time (Side foot or laces dependant on distance from goal).

Drill for Shot Stopping, 1v1's and Reading the game (Decision making)

2007-09-13T13:55:00Z

Figure 1

X S2 X

X GK X

* In a Full sized goal area, one server on the edge of the 'D' and another server 'Floating' on the edge of the box

* S1 can either have a big touch then shoot, play a through ball in between the GK and S2 or dribble at the GK him/herself to make a 1v1 situation

Key Points

* Adopt a good starting postion in relation to the ball, be in a 'Sprinters start' if the the server is shaping to play a through ball or dribbling at goal himself (Keeping the ball close to his feet) and square feet off if he/she has a big touch and is shaping to shoot.

Shot Stopping

* Correct positioning

* Correct choice of save

Through ball

* Can the GK come and win the ball or block? (Decision making)

* If not stand up and it becomes a 1v1 situation.

1v1

* Low stance- Hand wide of your legs knees bent 45 degrees (When close to the ball).

* When diving on the ball go the quickess route with hands leading.

* Wait for striker to make a mistake (e.g. A bad touch) before diving on the ball, if no bad touch stand up and jockey.

This drill was adapted from a Football League Goalkeeper Coach's drill.

Drill for Positioning, Shot Stopping and Distribution

2007-07-04T07:09:00Z

Figure 1

X X

S1 S2

X X

X GK X

* Goalkeeper has supply of balls in his goal.

* Goalkeeper retrieves a ball from the goal and throws it to one of the servers who is in a 20yd by 10yd grid which is 20-25yds out.

* Server plays a one two with the other server before taking a shot at goal.

Key Points

* Good accurate distribution to the feet or chest of the server.

* Getting into the correct position to save the shot after throwing it, and adjusting that position correctly when the ball is being passed between the servers.

* Getting 'Set' before the ball is struck (When the server draws his leg back to shoot).

* Decision making- Catch or parry, Footwork and/or dive to save.

* Correct Handling/parrying technique and Correct footwork (Dont cross the feet over) and diving technique (On shoulder not elbows).

Progressions

* Change distribution to kicking.

* Let the servers shoot at any time time rather than after a one two, then it becomes improtant that the goalkeeper adjusts his position correctly all the time.

* Increase/ Decrease the distance of the grid to help deal with longer/shorter range shots.

* Put the grid on a angle to deal with shots from different angles.

What do you think guys?

Please give me your opinions and/or feedback.

Drill for 'Getting Up' and Conditioning

2007-05-29T08:45:00Z

Right guys, new drill i made up ready to get your fitness up for pre-season!

x x GK S1

* Goalkeeper starts outside the post facing S1.

* S1 serves a medicine ball or football (Dependant on age and/or level of fitness) for GK to dive and catch.

* From the floor GK throws the ball back to S1 and 'Rolls Up' (Explained in Key Points).

* As soon as as GK is back on his feet, S2 (18yds away) serves ball in opposite side of the goal for the GK to get across and save (Use good footwork and diving technique).

* Repeat 8 Times.

* Repeat on opposite side.

Key Points

* Correct diving technique (See previous drills)

* Correct 'Getting up' technique- Tuck leg nearest ground back and 'roll up' on to knee (Of leg tucked back) and then onto feet, staying on you side and facing play at all times.

Progressions

* Change service- Height, distance, throws, volleys, half volleys etc.

* Reps- Increase as fitness improves.

Drill for Backpasses

2007-05-14T09:17:00Z

Drill here for practising backpasses under pressure

Figure 1

X X

Organisation

* Gk stand in 5yd x 5yd square with a server/coach facing him with the ball roughly 18 yards away.

* Server plays the ball in towards the goalkeeper like a backpass.

* Conditions- 1. Goalkeeper must have a touch before striking the ball.

2. Goalkeeper must keep the ball moving (Not let it stop still).

3. Goalkeeper must strike the ball over the head and /or past the server before the ball leaves the square (To recreate be closed down quickly by foward when recieving a backpass). If the ball leaves the square before the strike, the GK has been 'Closed down' by the foward.

Progressions

* Use diffrent types of serves to test keepers touch (Bounced, or with extra pace etc). Or from diffrent distances and angles

* Have 1, 2 or 3 touches.

* Practise striking and having a touch with weaker foot.

* Once GK becomes efficent of clearing it over servers head, give he/she targets to aim for on or around halfway line.

Key Points

*Good touch to 2 or 10 o'clock (Dependant on what foot is used to strike ball).

* Get low when striking the ball to create height, make sure non-kicking foot is placed besides ball and make sure GK is following through.

*Aim for feet, space, chest or head when targets are created/used.

This is a drill I created myself adapted from a shooting drill.

Tell me what you think guys.

Drill for Handling, Diving technique, speed of mind and body

2007-03-14T14:29:00Z

Sorry its been a while guys, trying not to make excuses but i've been pretty snowed under. Right here goes-

Figure 1

x x x x

S2 S1 S3

Two cones are place in centre of the goals approx 3 yds apart, GK stands between the cones and recieves a volley from S1 for him to catch, as soon as the ball leaves the GK's hand to throw the ball back to S1, S2 sided foots a shot firmly about 1yd in side the post for the GK to save. This process is repeated but with the side foot shot to his/her left from S3 after a catch from S1.

Repeat 6 each side.

Progressions

*Have S2 and S3 volley or throw ball mid bar height and/or high to practsie diving technique at different heights.

Key Factors

*Correct starting position

*Handling- Head still and behind ball if head height, on balls of feet with body weight foward

*Diving- 'Power step' towards the ball with foot at 45 degrees, and push off over the top of the foot at same height as ball. Land on shoulder and bring hands towards the ball as soon as possible. Try to keep head behind ball as 2nd barrier. Land on side and let the shoulder take impact of the fall, bring the ball down carefully last of all. This is the diving technique for shots, headers, volleys with pace, within 12yds when you havent got chance to move you feet much.

*Focus on dealing with the volley, before changing focus to the 2nd server. Requires concentration and focus.

A Conditioning Drill for after Xmas

2006-12-22T09:44:00Z

Hi Guys,

Sorry been away so long, my baby daughter and work having been keeping me busy.

With Xmas just round the corner, I thought i'd post a conditioning drill (With a few more conditioning one's next week possibly) to get us all back match-fit after induldging over Xmas (Although im playing right through xmas so havent got much chance to loose match fitness!).

This Drill is for conditioning (mental and physical), but also helps improve diving technique and footwork-

An upturned marker is placed in the centre of a full size goal, with a server standing behind it. Another server with several footballs, is standing on the edge of the 6 yard box.

Gk starts by the post with a football in his hands, and then shuffles across the goal and must place the football in the upturned cone with his nearest hand (To improve mental fitness and concentration).

As soon as he does this, the server on the edge of the 6, serves the ball low (Roll or side foot), back to the corner he came from for him/her to save.

If they catch the ball then then place that ball back into the upturned cone (Its the job of the server behind the cone to take the ball out of the cone ready for the next one to be place in and roll it into the supply of balls the other server has), if they parry the ball, or dont make a save they must touch the cone before the next ball is served. This is done untill 8-10 saves are made, the the drill is repeated using the other side of the goal and diving the other way.

Varations-

The drill can be repeated serving the ball midbar height and/or towards the top corner.

Ball can be served with feet (off the deck or volley), or hands.

Key coaching points-

Make sure the ball is placed correctly with nearest hand into the cone everytime (This helps mental fitness and concenration).

Diving technique, make sure they are taking off and landing correctly.

If they do parry into the right areas (Out of the danger area wide, or out of play).

Plenty of encouragment and this is a demanding drill.

Drill adapted from Goalkeeping with the Specalist By David Coles.

Daddy Mac! Apologies in advance

2006-11-07T12:22:00Z

Hi fellow bloggers,

Would just like to apoligise in adavnce for not posting any drills for a couple weeks as i am a bit busy.

This is because i became a Father on Sunday Morning (GMT), when my Fiancee gave birth to our beautiful baby daughter.

So im busy dealing with my 2 favorite girls and one of which has already become a daddy's girl!

Regards,

A very proud Daddy Macca!

P.S. Already looked to see if they Gk gloves in her size!

Handling and Footwork Drill

2006-10-26T06:47:00Z

This Drill is Handling, Footwork and Decision making (Choice of Save). It can also be changed into a reaction drill.

Figure 1:

X X

Four different coloured markers or cones are spaced 3 metres apart in shape of a square. GK 'Sets' in the middle of the square and waits for command from coach. Coach calls a colour (i.e. Red), and GK has to go round the cone with quick, short sharp feet and sets himself as close to middle of square as he can before the coach serves a volley from 12yds.

Key points

i) Good footwork (Short sharp feet without crossing feet over)

ii) Make sure GK 'sets' himself even if he is out of position, before the Coach/Server strikes the ball (Get to make sure he 'sets' as server 'winds up' to strike).

iii) Choice of save- Is he/she using correct handling technique?, Does he/she need to dive for the service given?

iv) Explain to GK this is used to recreate a situation in a game where they need to adjust their position and get 'set'.

Varations

a) Service- Volleys, Half Volleys, strike off floor, touch and strike of floor.

b) Touch cones instead of going round them, to recreate a situation that they have just got up from the floor.

c) Get GK to turn his back to the coach, and then after they touch/go round cone, spin to get set and make save (Making it a reaction drill aswell).

d) Add a GK/Player inbetween server/coach and GK, to obstruct GK's view (This obstructor cant touch the ball, but can block the GK's view as much as they can, making it a reaction drill again and recreating a cluttered goalmouth). See Figure 2.

Figure 2

X X

*Drills adapted from drill used in Goalkeeping with the Specialist by David Coles*

Is Uk behind the times compared to other countries with GK Coaching, or are inflated transfer fees to blame?

2006-10-17T06:51:00Z

Welcome to my 1st post guys, hope it is an intresting read. Instead of posting some drills this week, im posting my views on the current state of UK goalkeepers and how they are coached.

This has bugged me for a while, the EPL seems to have the highest rate of forgien 1st choice GK's out of all of the major leagues in Europe. Are the guys on the continent mainland that far ahead of us as far as 'grassroots' goalkeeper coaching is concerned, or are the inflated prices of our british youngsters to much of risk when a cheaper, more experienced alternative are just across the channel?

Scandinavia always produce very 'British style' goalkeepers, and usually very cheap on the transfer market, so if you have a budget, i cant really blame mangers for choosing this option (e.g. Schmeichel, Myhre, Niemi, Jaaskelainen, Sorensen, ....the lists goes on).

Also in Germany, Italy and Spain, nearly all the 'Big Clubs' in these leagues have a 1st choice goalkeeper from that country. For example, the Spanish and European Champions Barcelona have Spanish 1st choice keeper, who couldn't get into the Spanish squad for last summers World Cup!

So are the 3 above countries and Scandinavia better coached or do they just give their young goalkeepers a chance in the 1st team?

I recentley read and interview with Jussi Jaaskelainen (Which inspired me to write this article), on his comments on why, in a country so small, have their been 3 Finnish Goalkeepers (Himself, Niemi, Enckelman) who have been regular 1st choices at their premier league clubs in the past 4-5 years? Was it that the coaching was better in his country, and the UK is behind the times?...No.

His simple answer-

'I played in the 1st team for my club in Finland from the age of 17'

So the answer is experience.

But how do the UK's young Goalkeepers get premier league experience, without playing in the premier league?....They don't. Its a vicious circle. Mangers want a experienced keeper, but how to young keepers get experience without playing?

It will be a brave premier league boss who plays a 17 year in the 1st team, but as the saying goes 'If your good enough your old enough'. Dont expect to see it soon though.

As for our GK coaching being behind the times i dont feel this is true, I feel the UK has some of the Best GK Coaches in the world (David Coles, Simon Smith and Fred Barber spring to mind), i just think that managers in this country dont give our young keepers a chance.

Please post your views on this article/subject.

All the best,

Mac